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Author: Kristin Gorton

Transformation

Posted on by Kristin Gorton
This is IT. THE characteristic of God. Hesed. The embodiment, the living into, the Great Commandment. Hesed is a Hebrew term for which we have no equivalent in English. Hesed, is that which God describes to Moses as God’s self which “abounds in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6b, NRSV). Karoline Lewis says that hesed is, “the way in which to believe in God, trust in God—which also means that you act out God’s characteristics… doing what God is.”[1] Hesed is that deep, abiding, faithful love. God’s Love. In what ways do we see God doing that today? And, as we lean into, ...
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Thanks in Action

Posted on by Kristin Gorton
The reflection today will include a bit of wandering, so get comfortable as I guide you on this journey. For today we receive a charge: Thanks in action. Love… in action. To be a Church… in action. And in the 21st century, Reformation in action. On this Reformation Sunday we are living, active, participants in the Second Reformation, 500 years after the first. Re-Form. Re-new. Re-store… heaven on earth. This reflection comes about, in part, because this week Job and I have had our differences. Over the past 4 weeks our bible readings have immersed us in Job’s slow, painful, downward spiral ...
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Take Time for Wonder

Posted on by Kristin Gorton
The whirlwind. Merriam-Webster defines a whirlwind as “a confused rush…a violent or destructive force…”[1] Ben, Brandon, Calvin, Izzy, and Jack—This is the moment we’ve been waiting for: confirmation. Now, you may not feel the “woo hoo” of the covenant you will be affirming in a few minutes. You might be wondering just exactly what you will be doing. You might not be sure why you are doing this. You might be thinking “whew… all those classes are over.” You might be looking forward to Jesus Core, the high school retreat in January, or Youth at Synod—your participation in the national United Chu...
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Celebrate Abundance

Posted on by Kristin Gorton
Do you have a favorite childhood story? I have long been fascinated by stories—and how we tell them—whether it is through spoken or written word, images, art, movement, or music. As an undergraduate student I studied communication arts, which included debate classes, rhetoric, radio, television, and film. As someone drawn to the stories in the bible, I love how the past, present, and future intertwine. How we tell our stories weaves into who we are as individual, as a community, a nation, and a global community. This week, one of my favorite childhood stories came to mind—all over one word....
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Pay Attention to Gifts

Posted on by Kristin Gorton
This day I am grateful for the gift of place. This week I found myself being grateful for the comforting, the healing, and the darkness, of this building. Specifically, in my office, and the narratives of the pastors before me who have guided the people and the Spirit of this faith community. The room is this wonderful space in which the holding of sacred rawness and woundedness occurs. This entire building has a beautiful way of reflecting the world around it. This place lives and breathes in the stories that are shared… here. Sometimes it is the light and joy that flows through the windows a...
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Notice the Gap

Posted on by Kristin Gorton
Notice the gaps. The cracks, the crevices that lurk all about. The shifts, the movements, the things we know so well… that are all changing. So pay attention. Acknowledge the reality. For the reality is that in the tension new hope emerges. New stories. Stories that are coming out of the shadows, shattering the shame. Pushing back against the fear. Revealing the Good News that this world can be, must be, will be… different. Be inspired. Notice the gap between what is, and what can be. Today we acknowledge that the images are graphic. That the actions Jesus calls for are drastic. That ...
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What Does THAT Mean?

Posted on by Kristin Gorton
Sometimes, you just need to do it. Sometimes, in the midst of the uncertainty, the arguing, the fear—you just need to step into it. Into the uncertainty. Step in with the confidence that whatever transpires in the moments ahead… the extravagant welcome of the cosmos will draw you in. Hold you tight. So step into the Divine. God’s holy embrace. Sometimes, when I read the headlines, see a social media post, a hashtag, or get and email, I am jolted. All I can do is pause and wonder, “What does THAT mean?” And sometimes, there are just too many “What does THAT means?” in one week. A day. An hou...
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Questions that Breakdown Walls

Posted on by Kristin Gorton
All of the talk about walls. Impenetrable boundaries. Places we cannot cross. Every time I hear the “build that wall,” I get an uneasy feeling deep in the pit of my stomach. Nowhere in today’s readings is the word “wall” mentioned. But there are questions. Lots and lots of questions. And really BIG questions. And… we are asking a lot of BIG QUESTIONS of our confirmation youth. This week I spent time preparing for the last three confirmation gatherings and our upcoming confirmation celebration on October 21. Earlier this year I sent out an “OMG!” packet, an “Oh My God!” faith packet of quest...
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Sermon on a T-Shirt

Posted on by Kristin Gorton
  This week is the kickoff of football season. Many of us know which Sundays we need to get out of church early to catch the 12 o’clock football game. Many more have dug out their football bling—the hats, the t-shirts, and the jerseys of our favorite teams. What we do, who we are, (of course) goes much deeper than what we wear. Yet articles of clothing have come to mean something more than a friendly(ish) sports game. You know what I am talking about. When a red baseball cap with 4 words emblazoned on it becomes a rallying cry. When a green jacket with the phrase “I don’t really car...
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In the Mirror

Posted on by Kristin Gorton
I stand before you on this Labor Day weekend with an offering from our coalition partners at Worker Justice Wisconsin. Worker Justice’s mission is to: “Join workers in resolving workplace problems … Develop worker leadership… (and) Engage and mobilize… individuals, labor unions, faith communities (and others)… committed to economic, racial, immigrant, and worker justice”[1]. I am on the Board of Worker Justice Wisconsin. I am also a founding member of the United Church of Christ’s national Economic Justice Movement, which was formed “with the goal of continuing and strengthening ...
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